Bill Starke

Sculptor Bill Starke was born in Colorado, studied art at the University of Southern Colorado, University of Colorado, University of Northern Colorado and Metropolitan State College in Denver, graduating with a B.A. in Drawing and Printmaking in 1973

Starke has been the Instructor of Anatomy at the Art Students League of Denver for over a decade. Starke's sculpture that is not only technically superb and brilliantly composed - but also, emotionally and visually arresting. A master of expressionist maquette making, his ability to understand and recreate the complexity of figures, commonly actively engaged in athletic pursuit is at once studied - but on further reflection possesses an air of 'artistic nonchalance.'
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Starke's artwork has been exhibited in multiple exhibitions throughout Colorado including The Denver Art Museum, Denver Museum of Nature & Science, the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, and notably Salon d'Arts where in 2004 he was selected as Art & Antiques magazine's Emerging Artist of the Year.

"Human beings interacting, colliding, cooperating, striving, and achieving are the themes I wish to portray in my sculptures. My observations on the human condition are meant to be both humorous and thought provoking."
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In spring of 2008 his sculpture, Trojan Horse III, was awarded the Pietro Montana Memorial Award for Sculpture at the 85th Annual Exhibition of the National Sculpture Society in New York City. He was elected as a member of the National Sculpture Society in 2002. Amongst his many pulic sculptures, the siz figures scaling a 25' x 34' limestone wall in the atrium of the Hyatt Regency Convention Center in downtown Denver was commissioned for the new convention center hotel by McGrath and Braun Art Consultants, the sculpture was designed to represent the ideal of a 'convention' or meeting. Another in Houston was the "Sky Divers," installed in the three-story atrium of the Heritage Plaza Building. The "Divers" are three life-sized cast and patinated aluminum figures. The image of a diver is used represent the concept of courage and daring - taking a chance to make something happen.

Commissioned by the City of Orlando for the recently constructed Amway Center, 'our journey' is a sculptural installation composed of eight life-size human figures depicted on a journey together to scale the side of the building. The Amway Center is home of the NBA basketball team the Orlando Magic, and the installation's narrative reflects the values of cooperation, decision making, and achievement. Bill Starke's sculptures can be found in private and public collections worldwide, including Canada, China, England, France, Germany, Russia, and Sweden.